Adjustable support for curtain rods and the like



April 7, 1964 B, STEM 3,128,075

ADJUSTABLE SUPPORT FOR CURTAIN RODS AND THE LIKE Filed Sept. 11, 1961 INVENTOR. BENJAMIN STE/N ab- 60M ATTORNEK United States Patent Ofiice 3,128,075 Patented Apr. 7, 1964 3,123,075 ADZJUSTABLE SUPPORT F1211 CURTAIN RGD AND THE LIKE Benjamin Stein, New York, N.Y. (7 '94 Palmer Court, Mamaroneck, N.Y.) Filed ept. 11, 1961, tier. No. 137,364 4 Claims. (Ell. 2.48-265) This invention relates generally to a support structure, and is especially concerned with an adjustably mounted bracket for use in supporting a curtain rod, or the like.

It is one object of the present invention to provide a support structure of the type described which is more simply employed in the hanging of curtains, and the like, and wherein the curtains may be selectively hung at any desired height without remounting of the fixture.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a curtain-rod support having the advantageous characteristics mentioned in the preceding paragraph, which is extremely simple in construction, preferably consisting of an integral, one-piece bracket infinitely adjustable vertically along a mounting strip, and which structure is completely trouble-free and extremely durable throughout a long useful life, and capable of economical manufacture for sale at a reasonable price.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings, which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope will be indicated by the appended claims.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view showing a bracket constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view showing a pair of brackets of the present invention in facing relation with each other.

FIG. 3 is an elevational view showing a bracket of FIGS. 1 and 2 in an intermediate stage of assembly or disassembly with a mounting fixture.

FIG. 4 is an elevational view similar to FIG. 3 showing the bracket in its operative assembled relation with the mounting fixture.

FIG. 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially along the line 55 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view showing a slightly modified form of bracket constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, and illustrating in dot-and dash outline one form of curtain rod associated with the bracket.

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the bracket of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the bracket construction of FIGS. 1-5 in operative association with a mounting fixture and a curtain rod of the hollow type.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1-5 thereof, there is shown a bracket in FIG. 1 generally designated 10. A complementary pair of such brackets are shown in FIG. 2 at 10 and 11, the latter being substantially identical to the former, but of inverse configuration or opposite hand.

The bracket 10 is advantageously fabricated of a single integral metal sheet or plate, as by forming and stamping, but may, of course, be fabricated of any desired material, such as by being molded of plastic, or the like.

The bracket 10 may be substantially flat, normally lying in a substantially vertical plane and of a lateral or horizontal elongation. The bracket member 10 includes one end portion 13, and extends therefrom to the opposite or other end portion 14. The end portion 13 is formed with a pair of tongues or fingers 15 and 16, preferably integral with the bracket portion 13 and offset from the plane thereof, as by offsetting portions 17 and 18.

The tongues or fingers 15 and 16 project laterally, oppositely away from each other; and as best seen in FIG. 1, the tongues are spaced apart vertically, the tongue 15 being at an elevation above that of the tongue 16. Viewed otherwise, the upper tongue 15 is located inward from the outer end 19 of end portion 13, being offset from the plane of the latter end portion by the offsetting portion 17, and projects inward toward the opposite end portion 14, terminating short thereof, as at the end edge 20. The lower tongue 16 may extend outward from the end portion 13, beyond the end edge 19, being offset from the plane of the latter end portion by the offsetting portion 18, and terminated at an end edge 21. The end edge 21 of tongue 16 is preferably rounded, for purposes appearing presently.

As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 5, the tongues 15 and 16 are offset from the plane of the bracket 10 on the same side thereof, and are illustrated as extending oblique to the plane of the bracket. While the tongues 15 and 16 may operate satisfactorily in other than the illustrated oblique relation, such relation is shown for purposes of illustration and without limiting intent. Specifically, as illustrated, the tongue 15 extends obliquely away from the plane of bracket member 10, while the tongue 16 extends obliquely toward the extended plane of the bracket member.

The other end portion 14 of the bracket member 10 may have its end edge generally arcuate or rounded, as at 23, while having its upper edge provided with an upstanding tab or lug 24, and its lower edge cut away at 25 to form an outwardly facing shoulder 26. Further, the upper edge of the outer end portion 14, just inward of the tab 24 may be formed with a notch or cutout 27, illustrated as being of generally V-shaped configuration.

In FIGS. 35 there is shown a window jamb 30 having a surface 31. Secured fast to the jamb surface 31 is a mounting fixture, generally designated 32. The fixture 32 may be securely anchored to the jamb 31) by any suitable means, such as screws 33.

The mounting fixture 32 includes a generally vertically disposed or upright, substantially flat strip 35 secured in facing engagement with the jamb surface 31 by the fasteners 33. That is, one face 36 of the strip 35 is retained in engagement with the jamb surface 31, while the opposite strip face 37 is exposed and faces away from the jamb 30.

Along both side edges of the strip 35, preferably integral therewith, are formed longitudinal walls 40 and 41 outstanding from the jamb 30 and bent laterally inward toward each other spacedly overlying the adjacent portions of strip face 37. In the illustrated embodiment, the longitudinal walls 40 and 41 are of generally rectangular configuration, the former including an outstanding wall portion 42 generally normal to the strip 35, and an overlying wall portion or flange 43 generally parallel to the strip, While the wall 41 includes an outstanding portion 44 generally normal to the strip, and an overlying wall portion or flange 45 generally parallel to the strip. It is appreciated that the longitudinal Walls 40 and 41 need not be of the illustrated rectangular formation, but may be rounded, or generally fiat and oblique to the strip 35. In any event, the longitudinal walls 40 and 41 extend laterally inward toward each other, to overlie adjacent edge portions of the strip face 37, with the longitudinal walls terminating at longitudinal edges 46 and 47 spaced from each other. Thus, the longitudinal wall 40 may be considered as combining with the strip 35 to define a longitudinally extending, laterally inwardly facing groove 48, and similarly the longitudinal wall 41 combines with its adjacent portion of strip 35 to define a longitudinally extending, laterally inwardly facing groove 49, the grooves 48 and 49 facing toward and being spaced from each other. Further, the spacing between the edges 46 and 47 of longitudinal walls 49 and 41 may be considered as defining a slot 50 opening between the longitudinal walls into the grooves 48 and 49.

In the operative association of bracket 10 and fixture 32 in FIGS. 4 and 5, it is seen that the bracket end portion 13 is disposed in a plane generally parallel to that of the strip 35, spaced from and facing toward the strip surface 37 through the slot 50. The bracket 11 extends laterally from the end portion 13 beyond the longitudinal wall 4% to the end portion 14 which is spaced laterally from the mounting fixture 32. Further, the tongues 15 and 16, by their offsetting portions 17 and 18, extend through the slot 50 toward the strip 35 and thence respectively into the grooves 48 and 49 of walls 40 and 41. The end edges 29 and 21 of the tongues 15 and 16 are preferably in abutting engagement within the grooves 48 and 49, respectively, so that the downward force or weight of a curtain rod 52, see FIG. 4, is effectively resisted and counteracted by a couple exerted between the walls 49 and 41, and the tongues 15 and 16, respectively. The oblique inclination of the tongues 15 and 16 may engage the tongue edges 21) and 21 in wedging relation in the grooves a8 and 49 to prevent looseness or wobbling of the bracket relative to the mounting fixture.

While the illustrated embodiment shows the tongues 15 and 16 of a thickness less than the width of grooves 48 and 49, which may be preferred, it is appreciated that the tongues may be of such thickness admitting of sliding engagement in the grooves, if desired. Also, while the bracket 10 is shown as having its end portion 13 overlying and slightly spaced from the flange 43 of wall 411, the proportions may be such that the bracket abuts against the longitudinal wall for further rigidification and reinforcement.

In order to remove the bracket 10 from the mounting fixture 32, or to adjust the bracket vertically along the mounting fixture to any desired elevation, it is only necessary to swing the bracket end portion 14 upward, as shown in FIG. 3. In the condition shown in FIG. 3, it is seen that the slot of the mounting fixture 32 is of sufficient width to pass the tongues 15 and 16 for convenient removal of the bracket from the mounting fixture. In effecting vertical adjustment of the bracket 10, it is not necessary to swing the bracket to the extent illustrated in FIG. 3, but only sufficiently to disengage the tongue ends 219 and 21 from their respective longitudinal walls 40 and 41, whereupon the bracket may be moved vertically to the desired elevation, and then returned to its generally horizontal disposition for re-engagement of the tongues and 16 in their respective groups 48 and 49. Upward swinging of the bracket end portion14 is facilitated by rolling action of curved edge 21 with wall 41.

In FIG. 8, the bracket 10 is shown in operative association with a mounting fixture 32, as in FIGS. 4 and 5, and is further associated with a conventional curtain rod 55 of the hollow type having right angularly bent end portions, as at 56. The end portion 14 of the bracket 10 is engageable in the bent end portion 56 of the curtain rod 55, with the tab 24 projecting upward through the curtain rod, and the shoulder 26 in abutting engagement with the lower edge portion of the curtain rod. Of course, the bracket 10 is capable of the same advantageous ease and simplicity in adjustment and removal with the curtain rod 55, as with the curtain rod 52.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7 is shown a slightly modified form of bracket, generally designated 61), adapted for use in conjunction with a mounting fixture 32 and having advantageous characteristics similar to those of the bracket 10. The bracket 611 may consist of a generally fiat elongate plate 61 normally disposed in a generally vertical plane having one end portion 52 adapted to be located proximate to a mounting fixture, and having its other end portion 63 laterally remote from the mounting fixture for carrying a curtain rod 64.

The bracket end portion 62 includes a pair of vertically spaced fingers or tongues 65 and 66 projecting laterally oppositely away from each other and offset from the plane of the bracket plate 61 by offsetting portions 67 and 68, respectively. The fingers or tongues 65 and 66 terminate at their respective distal ends at edges 70 and 71, which are horizontally spaced apart a distance approximately equal to the width of a mounting strip 35 for engagement of the tongues in respective grooves 48 and 49, as in the firstdescribed embodiment. However, the end portion 62 ex tends outward beyond the end edge 71 of lower tongue 66, terminating in a rounded end edge 69, so that the bracket end portion 62 will obviously overlie both the longitudinal walls 413 and 41 when in operative connection with the mounting fixture 32.

In the modified form of FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the laterally projecting bracket end portion 63 may have its end edge rounded, as at '73, and may be formed in its upper edge with an arcuate, concave cutout or notch 74 for receiving the curtain rod 64. In the illustrated embodiment, it is noted that the curtain rod 64 is provided with a reduced portion or neck '75, as defined between a pair of spaced enlargements 76 and 77; and, the thickness of the bracket plate 61 is such as to engage between the enlargements for receiving the neck 75 in the cutout 74.

As noted hereinbefore, the end portion 62 of bracket 60 is configured to overlie both the longitudinal walls 40 and 41 of a mounting fixture 32; and, the bracket end portion may engage the outer surfaces of the longitudinal walls for increased rigidity of connection, if desired.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the present invention provides a support construction for curtain rods and the like, which fully accomplishes its intended objects and is well adapted to meet practical conditions of manufacture and use.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be made within the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A support for curtain rods and the like, said support comprising a generally upright mounting strip, a pair of longitudinal walls along opposite edges of said strip, said longitudinal walls extending generally inwardly spaced from one face of said strip and terminating short of each other, an elongate bracket member having one end proximate to said one strip face and having its other end extending laterally in a direction parallel to said one face and beyond one of said longitudinal walls for supporting engagement with a curtain rod or the like resting adjacent said other end, and a pair of fingers laterally offset and projecting oppositely from said bracket member and respectively removably engaged beneath said longitudinal walls, said fingers being spaced vertically with the upper finger engaged beneath said one longitudinal wall and the lower finger engaged beneath the other longitudinal wall, said fingers thereby providing a reactive couple maintaining said bracket member in a selected position relative to said mounting strip under the weight of a curtain rod or the like, and said fingers being disengageable from said walls upon upward swinging of said other bracket-member end for vertical movement of said bracket member along and removal of said bracket member from said mounting strip.

2. A support according to claim 1, at least one of said fingers having a generally rounded configuration for smooth rolling action with the engaged wall upon upward swinging of said other bracket-member end.

3. A support according to claim 1, said bracket member being substantially flat and in substantial parallelism with the plane of the face of said strip, said one end of said bracket member overlying one of said longitudinal walls and engageable therewith to maintain said parallelism.

4. A support comprising a generally upright mounting strip, a pair of longitudinal walls on opposite edges of said strip projecting laterally inward on one side of said strip and spaced from each other to define with said strip a pair of facing grooves, a bracket member disposed on said one side of said strip and having one portion projecting laterally beyond one edge of said strip, and a pair of vertically spaced laterally oppositely projecting tongues carried by said bracket member and offset therefrom for holding engagement in respective grooves, said bracket member and tongues being integrally fabricated of a single sheet having a thickness less than the width of said grooves, for free entry of said tongues into said grooves, said tongues extending obliquely to the plane of said bracket member for firm wedging engagement in said grooves, said longitudinal walls being spaced from each other sufliciently to pass said pair of tongues upon swinging movement of said bracket member to remove said tongues from said grooves.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

1. A SUPPORT FOR CURTAIN RODS AND THE LIKE, SAID SUPPORT COMPRISING A GENERALLY UPRIGHT MOUNTING STRIP, A PAIR OF LONGITUDINAL WALLS ALONG OPPOSITE EDGES OF SAID STRIP, SAID LONGITUDINAL WALLS EXTENDING GENERALLY INWARDLY SPACED FROM ONE FACE OF SAID STRIP AND TERMINATING SHORT OF EACH OTHER, AN ELONGATE BRACKET MEMBER HAVING ONE END PROXIMATE TO SAID ONE STRIP FACE AND HAVING ITS OTHER END EXTENDING LATERALLY IN A DIRECTION PARALLEL TO SAID ONE FACE AND BEYOND ONE OF SAID LONGITUDINAL WALLS FOR SUPPORTING ENGAGEMENT WITH A CURTAIN ROD OR THE LIKE RESTING ADJACENT SAID OTHER END, AND A PAIR OF FINGERS LATERALLY OFFSET AND PROJECTING OPPOSITELY FROM SAID BRACKET MEMBER AND RESPECTIVELY REMOVABLY ENGAGED BENEATH SAID LONGITUDINAL WALLS, SAID FINGERS BEING SPACED VERTICALLY WITH THE UPPER FINGER ENGAGED BENEATH SAID ONE LONGITUDINAL WALL AND THE LOWER FINGER ENGAGED BENEATH THE OTHER LONGITUDINAL WALL, SAID FINGERS THEREBY PROVIDING A REACTIVE COUPLE MAINTAINING SAID BRACKET MEMBER IN A SELECTED POSITION RELATIVE TO SAID MOUNTING STRIP UNDER THE WEIGHT OF A CURTAIN ROD OR THE LIKE, AND SAID FINGERS BEING DISENGAGEABLE FROM SAID WALLS UPON UPWARD SWINGING OF SAID OTHER BRACKET-MEMBER END FOR VERTICAL MOVEMENT OF SAID BRACKET MEMBER ALONG AND REMOVAL OF SAID BRACKET MEMBER FROM SAID MOUNTING STRIP. 